Stain caused by leak, can this be sorted?

[paulguitar]

I had a bottle of Redex in the passenger door pocket, and it's leaked out onto the panel under the passenger door. It had been like this for some time and it wasn't really obvious until I had the car cleaned recently, but it appears to have damaged the paint significantly. Does anyone have an idea about how I might be able to go about fixing this, please?

[trickywoo]

Picture of an otherwise clean car would help with comments.

If the paint is bubbled or feels damaged (rough) to the touch it’s probably had it and needs repainting.

If not put some degreaser on it. Try some clay after that if it’s still visible. After that try polish ideally with a machine. If none of that improves it paint is again the answer.

[paulguitar]

trickywoo said:

Picture of an otherwise clean car would help with comments.

If the paint is bubbled or feels damaged (rough) to the touch it’s probably had it and needs repainting.

If not put some degreaser on it. Try some clay after that if it’s still visible. After that try polish ideally with a machine. If none of that improves it paint is again the answer.

That's very helpful, thanks.

[Chris32345]

Unlikely to have caused damage just needs a good clean with some degreaser

[paulguitar]

Chris32345 said:

Unlikely to have caused damage just needs a good clean with some degreaser

Thanks. Do I just use the degreaser with a cloth or sponge? Is there a specific technique?

[finlo]

How did it manage to get from the door pocket to an outer panel?

[paulguitar]

finlo said:

How did it manage to get from the door pocket to an outer panel?

Good question, I'm not really sure, all I know is that the bottle of Redex was empty and the mark was on the outside of the car, the Redex having apparently seeped though. There are no signs of any other leakage during heavy rain etc.

[Zarco]

finlo said:

How did it manage to get from the door pocket to an outer panel?

Run out the bottom of the pocket and on to the door sill, then out on to bodywork.

Surprised you couldn't smell it inside (not that I've ever sniffed Red X)

[finlo]

Zarco said:

finlo said:

How did it manage to get from the door pocket to an outer panel?

Run out the bottom of the pocket and on to the door sill, then out on to bodywork.

Surprised you couldn't smell it inside (not that I've ever sniffed Red X)

No membrane or door seals to circumnavigate then?

[paulguitar]

Zarco said:

finlo said:

How did it manage to get from the door pocket to an outer panel?

Run out the bottom of the pocket and on to the door sill, then out on to bodywork.

Surprised you couldn't smell it inside (not that I've ever sniffed Red X)

I work overseas so I think it had happened while I was away.

No weird odours inside the car.

[StescoG66]

For degreaser get Viro-Sol by Clover Chemicals. Citrus based, has a multitude of uses and is bloody excellent stuff

[Chris32345]

finlo said:

No membrane or door seals to circumnavigate then?

Probably ran on to the inside of the door pocket onto the inside edge of the door behind the door card then down on to the sill